Page 26 - JOAMay2021

by Zoë

Peate

The Artful History of Vintage Travel Postcards
The Artful History of Vintage Travel Postcards

Above: Wallace News Stand in New Orleans in the summer of 1908

ho doesn’t love to find a postcard from somewhere far away, Right:
waiting for them inside their mailbox? It’s such a rare 1893 World’s
Woccasion in this digital era, which only makes it an even Columbian
more delightful surprise. While the Golden Age of postcards is long Exposition
past, like the travel posters of yesteryear, vintage postcards are experi- Postcard
encing a resurgence in popularity. They've long been collectors’ items, photo Chicago
Postcard Museum
but now a new generation is discovering the beauty of vintage travel
postcard design.

Early History
Postcards began as a cheap way for
people to keep in touch during the early
19th century. The first picture postcard
was sent by English writer Theodore Left:
Hook, who playfully sent it to himself in A 1909 Split-
1840. Though cards remained absent of Back-Postcard with
pictures, apart from decorative borders, asomewhat cryptic
message from a
for some time after. Son to his Mother
Theodore Edward Hook (1788- The first known postcard to be
1841), an English man of letters printed as a souvenir item was posted in
and composer and briefly a civil Vienna, May 1871. This was followed Divided Back Era 1907-1915
servant in Mauritius. He is best by cards featuring the newly built Eiffel The divided back (or “split back”) design took off in most countries
known for his practical jokes. Tower in 1889 and 1890. In the U.S. between 1907-1915. Up to this point Germany produced most of the
the first souvenir cards were sold at the postcards for the U.S. market because of their superior printing tech-
1893 World’s Columbian Exposition nology. As import tariffs soared and World War I began in 1914, the
in Chicago. availability and use of cards in the U.S. began to decline.
In 1894, the Royal Mail gave
permission for British publishers to
manufacture and distribute picture
postcards. At the time,
steam locomotives were
The providing fast and afford-
message able travel within the UK.
illustration The seaside was a popular
(above) and destination and became
the addressee the subject of many
(right)
souvenir postcard designs.

Golden Age 1901-1907
The Golden Age of postcards
was ushered in at the turn of the
20th century when the U.S.
government allowed the words
“Post Card” to be printed on
privately printed cards. In 1902 Night scene, Dallas and Oak Cliff Viaduct, Dallas, Texas
the UK postal service permitted
the “divided back” design of The White Border Era 1916-1930
modern postcards so that the So named for the white border around the picture area,
message and address could be put postcards of this era saw American printing technology try to
on one side, allowing for a picture catch up with German counterparts. Cards printed with
on the other. France followed suit First illustrated postcard published in France 1889 borders were more forgiving in the cutting process and required
in 1904, Germany in 1905, and the U.S. in 1907. less-skilled workers to produce.

24 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles